One of Dr. Richard Berger’s earliest outpatient hip replacement patients is still competing, winning medals, and inspiring generations of runners in his family.

At 80 years old, James Piko has plenty to be proud of. He’s a father, grandfather, marathon runner, and competitive athlete who continues to cross finish lines and collect medals. But perhaps his most remarkable achievement is that he’s still doing what he loves nearly 25 years after undergoing hip replacement surgery with Dr. Richard Berger.

“I’m 80 years and about four months old, so I’m almost 80 and a half,” James says with a smile. “I’m very proud of that.”

For James, running has never been just about exercise. It’s been a lifelong passion, a source of friendship, and a tradition that has shaped his family for generations.

And thanks to a pioneering surgical procedure nearly a quarter-century ago, it’s a passion he hasn’t had to give up.

A Lifelong Love of Running

James’s running journey began shortly after college, when he joined a group of former classmates for weekly runs at a local park.

What started as a Sunday tradition eventually grew into something much bigger.

“We would meet every Sunday at a local park, and we would run,” James recalls. “And then eventually we started doing some marathons.”

In 1981, James and his running companions traveled to Boston to compete in the prestigious Boston Marathon. He also went on to run the Chicago Marathon, building a lifetime of memories through the sport.

But as the years passed, something began to change.

James started experiencing hip pain that gradually affected his ability to run. At first, he noticed that runners he had once competed alongside were beginning to pull ahead.

“Guys that I used to run with and I could compete with were now beating me,” he remembers.

Eventually, the discomfort extended far beyond his running routine. The pain became so severe that even sleeping was difficult.

“It was so painful to lay in bed at night. I had to put pillows under my legs,” James recalls.

For someone whose life revolved around movement, the prospect of losing his ability to run was devastating.

Then a neighbor suggested he see Dr. Richard Berger.

A Pioneering Approach to Hip Replacement

When James first met Dr. Berger nearly 25 years ago, outpatient joint replacement was still a groundbreaking concept.

Dr. Berger was pioneering a minimally invasive approach to hip replacement designed to preserve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the joint, helping patients recover more quickly and return to their daily activities.

“Jim was one of the first outpatients we did almost 25 years ago,” Dr. Berger explains. “He had loved to run, and his hip was just bothering him so much it was very hard for him to run.”

For James, Dr. Berger offered an opportunity to regain the mobility he had lost.

“We did something special for Jim,” Dr. Berger recalls. “We did one of the first outpatient surgeries, but we also did minimally invasive surgery. That’s without cutting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.”

James still remembers the experience vividly.

“It was an incredible experience. I went in at five o’clock in the morning, had the surgery, woke up in the recovery room, and I felt wonderful.”

But it was what happened at his follow-up appointment that left a lasting impression on his surgeon.

When James returned two weeks after surgery, Dr. Berger asked how he was doing.

James didn’t just tell him. He showed him.

“He ran up the hall, back down the hall pretty fast,” Dr. Berger remembers.

For a lifelong runner who had struggled with debilitating hip pain, the moment marked a remarkable return to the activity he loved.

Nearly 25 Years Later, He’s Still Crossing Finish Lines

Today, almost a quarter-century after his hip replacement, James continues to run competitively.

And he’s not simply participating. He’s winning.

“There are not many guys that can run like I can at 80,” James says proudly.

Competing in local races, James regularly earns medals in his age group. Each finish line brings the same sense of accomplishment that first drew him to running decades ago.

“Almost every race I go to, I get a medal, and I drive myself home, and I’m so happy,” he shares. “I’m ready to explode that I’m so proud of myself.”

During a recent visit with Dr. Berger, James brought along a particularly meaningful gift: a first-place medal he had won in his age group at a Memorial Day race.

“I want you to have it as a reminder of me,” James told his surgeon.

For Dr. Berger, who has spent his career helping patients return to the activities that make their lives meaningful, the gesture was especially touching.

“That is so kind. Thank you,” he responded.

The medal represents more than a race victory. It’s a reminder of nearly 25 years of continued movement, independence, and the joy of doing what you love.

A Legacy That Runs Through Generations

James’s passion for running has also left a lasting impression on his family.

His son Joey has followed in his footsteps, running the Boston Marathon multiple times and competing in the Chicago Marathon approximately five times. His daughter Mary Kate has also completed marathons.

For his children, their father’s dedication to fitness has become part of their own lives.

“We all take different things from my dad,” his daughter shares. “My brothers are marathon runners, and now I own a gym that’s a treadmill gym and strength training. So we’ve all taken that and used it for our own lives.”

But perhaps the greatest gift has been watching James remain active and engaged with his family well into his 80s.

“We are so grateful for Dr. Berger and everything he did for my dad,” his daughter says. “Just to see that his joy is still through running and physical movement. That was a gift to him.”

She adds, “We did not expect at 80 he’d still be running races and chasing our kids. So we’re all very blessed.”

For James, the feeling is mutual.

“I’m blessed. I’m absolutely blessed,” he says.

25 Years of Changing How the World Moves

James’s story is a powerful reflection of Dr. Berger’s commitment to helping patients regain their mobility and maintain active, fulfilling lives.

As one of the pioneers of minimally invasive outpatient hip and knee replacement, Dr. Berger has spent nearly 25 years advancing surgical techniques designed to minimize tissue disruption and support faster recovery.

For James, the impact of that innovation has extended far beyond his initial recovery.

It has meant decades of running, countless finish lines, medals proudly earned, and the opportunity to share his love of movement with his children and grandchildren.

At 80, James has no intention of slowing down.

And when he reflects on everything he’s been able to accomplish since his surgery, he knows just how much it has meant.

“None of it would have happened if I had this hip and didn’t have it fixed.”